Kathleen
I was diagnosed with ChiariI four years ago.Since then I have had another MRI which shows some progression of about 2mm further into my spinal cord. I have horrible headaches when I cough or lift things. However this is not enough to require surgery. I have been told that surgery is only used when there is hydrocephalis or a cyst. It is very dangerous surgery and seems to have limited results anyway. I am 41 yrs. old and figure I can live without the surgery hopefully. The headaches in the back of my head are especially painful but not life threatening.